FEAST

Western Montana's dining and bar guide

WINE & CHEESE
Premium wine and cheeses,
from Montana and beyond.
PRODUCE
BAKERY
Voted Missoula’s favorite
produce department for
12 years running.
Fresh breads and pastries
from our own ovens and
from the best local bakeries.
It’s all good.
MEAT & SEAFOOD
Missoula’s only certified
organic meat department.
BULK
Beans, rices, spices, granola, pasta,
snacks, coffee, baking supplies and
more. Over 800 different choices.
DELI & BEVERAGE BAR
All natural espresso and smoothies,
hot breakfast, big sandwiches,
housemade pizza and pasta.
Plus beautifully fresh sushi.
www.goodfoodstore.com | 1600 S. 3rd St. West | 541. FOOD | 7am to 10pm Every Day
Hamilton Wine and
Liquor Store
JUST OPENED
Dungeness Crab Cakes
Open 7 Days 8:30am-11pm
with Lemon Buerre Blanc sauce.
The Edge Restaurant
Open 7 Days 11am-10pm
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
topped with Havarti cheese.
The Edge Sports Bar
Open 7 Days 11am-11pm
Curleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ultimate Shells
& Cheese
Cucumber
Cilantro Martini.
2915 Brooks
Missoula
721-4133
THE
ULTIMATE WESTERN
MONTANA
DINING GUIDE
FEAST
A rundown of Missoula’s must-eat morsels . . . . .5
A sophisticate’s ode to the post-work drink . . .13
Earning your menu black belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Flathead flavor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Regional Restaurant & Bar Listings:
Missoula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Bitterroot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Flathead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Cover photo of Ciao Mambo by Chad Harder
Street address: 317 S. Orange St. Missoula, MT 59801
Phone number: 406-543-6609
Web: missoulanews.com
Great Service!
Great Food! Great Fun!
Breakfast Served All Day!
Call 542-2449 For To-Go Orders!
Best Milkshake 13 Years in a Row!
Famous Homemade Tomato Soup!
Downtown Missoula
120 N. Higgins Ave
Open 8am to 3pm 7 Days a Week!
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
3
"Ask for Ten Spoon
wines at your favorite shops
and watering holes!”
Enjoy Our Cabins
and a Soak in Our
Natural Hot
Springs.
Treat Yourself
to a Refreshing
Get-Away.
Finish with Dining in the Boulder Room
Restaurant and drinks in the Bear Cave Lounge.
Open 7 Days a Week
C a b i n o r RV R e s e r v a t i o n s 1 - 8 7 7 - 5 4 1 - 5 1 1 7
All Other Info:273-2290
www.tenspoonwinery.com
38500 W. Hwy 12 Lolo
www.lolohotsprings.com
‡ Weekend
Entertainment
‡ Music, art shows,
trivia, movie nights
& First Fridays!
Coffee,
music
& you!
‡ Couches, fireplace,
& more!
‡ 100% Organic &
Fair Trade Coffee
M-F 10am - 4pm
Downtown 121 W. Broadway
4
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
‡
543-2549
MISSOULA
Hob Nob Café
photo by Chad Harder
Must-eat morsels
A rundown of Missoula’s most popular dishes
by the Independent staff
Missoula food was once for the dogs—or,
more accurately, it was dogs. When
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark traveled
with the Corps of Discovery through western
Montana, they preferred to feast on traditional fare like elk, venison, buffalo and fish,
but they weren’t always so lucky. When
rations dwindled thin, the company of carnivores craved canines. That’s a new level of,
um, ruffing it, so to speak.
Thankfully, Missoula cuisine has evolved
to the point that we now actually have establishments that create snacks for dogs (courtesy of Go Fetch) rather than of them. In fact,
Missoula restaurants have developed quite
the reputation for some of the finest food in
the region. While there are no shortages of
fine dining establishments—and we use the
word “fine” loosely, considering jeans and a
collared shirt are about as formal as we get—
there are a few dishes that, over time, have
become de rigueur in our neck of the woods.
Here are a few.
Starting off right
Hob Nob Café chef Justin Alterowitz (531
S. Higgins Ave.) has a few buzz-worthy concoctions, but he’s perhaps most famous for his
corned beef hash. The popular dish—Alterowitz
goes through an average of six briskets a week—
is corned on the premises and is best served
with a side of toasted Birdman bread from nearby Le Petit Outre (129 S. Fourth St. W.). Similar
early morning fixtures include any omelet—and
there are plenty to choose from—at The Shack
(222 W. Main St.), or the namesake item at
Paul’s Pancake Parlor (2305 Brooks St.).
Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger
A houseguest who recently traveled
from Oklahoma City to Missoula via San
Francisco and Seattle arrived claiming
three different people in the three different cities had all insisted he couldn’t leave
without indulging in a famous Mo Club
burger (139 W. Main St.). I suppose that
makes The Missoula Club, as it’s formally
known, our version of California’s In-NOut Burger, which is an honor not to be
taken lightly, and certainly not to be
missed.
Tastes like chicken
It’s hard to avoid red meat in Missoula,
and folks here are about as adamant about
their favorite cuts as they are about their preferred coffee shop. For instance, for every fan
of perennial Best of Missoula winner (even if
it’s not technically in Missoula) Lolo Creek
Steak House (6600 Highway 12 West, Lolo)
there’s someone else who swears by the
under-appreciated rib eye at Scotty’s Table
(131 S. Higgins Ave., downstairs at the Wilma).
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
5
MISSOULA
Popular pies
A town can only be judged, really, by the quality of its best pizza joints. In that case, Missoula
ranks pretty well with at least three top options.
Longtime staple Bridge Takeout and Delivery
(600 S. Higgins Ave.) sells by the slice and now
includes a liquor license, meaning you can enjoy
a pint of Kettlehouse Cold Smoke with your pepperoni. MacKenzie River Pizza (multiple locations across western Montana), a locally owned
chain, offers a prime family-friendly atmosphere
and some creative options, such as one pie with
fajita chicken, roasted mushrooms, tomatoes,
roasted garlic and fresh basil. The Indy’s current
Best Pizza champ, however, is Bob Marshall’s Biga
Pizza (241 W. Main St.), which combines local
ingredients (as often as possible) and old-school
family recipes for gourmet pizza that, in our opinion, rivals any other city’s best.
I scream, you scream
Old Post Pub
For every admirer of the grilled beef loin at Red Bird (111 N. Higgins
Ave., Suite 100)—and there are many, since it’s widely considered the
best overall restaurant in town—there’s another who wouldn’t trade
anything for the filet with green peppercorn sauce at Pearl Café and
Bakery (231 E. Front St.). There’s one cut, however, that transcends the
steak debate, despite being a bit astray of mainstream fare and a bit east
of town: Rock Creek Lodge’s Rocky Mountain oysters (exit 126 off
Interstate 90, in Clinton), aka bull balls. The featured item at the annual Testicle Festival is typically filleted, beer battered and deep fried, and
tastes something like a cross between chicken and shrimp. When a
recent customer asked how the delicacy was best enjoyed, the server
responded: “With lots and lots of cocktail sauce.”
Actually is chicken
Whether you sit in the family-friendly upstairs booths or descend
into the basement bar where the jukebox blares anything from The
Clash to Travis Tritt, fried chicken is the reason you go to Double
Front Café (122 W. Alder St.). Though it’s not for the heart-attack
prone and it usually takes at least 30 minutes to get your meal
(though you can order ahead), the perfectly crisped, moistly brined
meat is worth any hassle. A Tennessee girl recently mentioned that it
was just as good as any Southern fried chicken she’d had. Also, if you
sit in the basement you can play cribbage and drink red beer while
you wait for your food to arrive via the dumbwaiter.
6
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
Twelve years ago, a couple Missoulians
cranked up an old ice cream maker in the back
room of the Kettlehouse Brewery and started
photo by Chad Harder
creating Big Dipper ice cream. Today, the corner of Fifth Street and Higgins Avenue is the site
of one of the most popular summer—and, as an example of its fame,
winter—destinations for sweet-tooths seeking the original homemade creation. As for the most popular flavor, it’s a toss-up between
the Coconut, Mexican Chocolate, Green Tea or Cardamom. Or maybe
the White Mint Oreo. Or the Mocha Chip. Or, well, you get the point.
If you prefer your ice cream in liquid form—or something that you
can eat with a spoon and straw—Uptown Diner (120 N. Higgins Ave.)
serves Missoula’s most elaborately flavored milkshakes. Our favorite at
the 13-time Best of Missoula winner remains the “Liquid Pavement,”
which includes vanilla ice cream, two shots of espresso, hot fudge, Oreo
cookies, chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
Supremely stuffed
If getting the most for your money is vital—and for most multi-job
Missoulians, it is—then there’s been no more reliable savior than
Taco del Sol (three area locations, with the original downtown storefront at 422 N. Higgins Ave.). Specifically, for $5.50 the burritoistas
will stuff a 14-inch Mission Supreme Burrito with your choice of
beans, and either chicken, ground beef, shredded beef, pulled pork
or carne asada (steak is an additional $1), along with rice, salsa fresca, cheese, guacamole and sour cream. While Taco del Sol has seniority, relative newcomers La Parilla (130 W. Broadway St.)—try anything with the marinated bison—and El Diablo (1429 S. Higgins
Ave.)—the pulled pork burrito is ridiculous—have quickly created
their own loyal followings.
MISSOULA
Grand greasy spoons
In a college town, great bar food is as important as cold beer
on tap, and Missoula has no shortage. At the top of the list, however, are three items at three of the most popular watering holes.
The Dinosaur Café (428 N. Higgins Ave.), inside the historic
Charlie B’s, serves some of the best Cajun vittles around from
inside a closet-sized kitchen at the back of the bar. Try the authentic gumbo first. The Iron Horse (501 N. Higgins Ave.) offers what
are largely considered the best sweet potato fries in town. And the
Old Post Pub (103 W. Spruce St.) has a pretty extensive menu
with daily specials (there’s a dedicated fish taco following), but
the ridiculously huge nachos are where to start.
Late night
The Oxford Bar and Café (337 N. Higgins Ave.) used to be
best known for its brains and eggs, but, sadly, the item was
removed from the menu years ago after the Mad Cow scare made
acquiring the main ingredient impossible. Now, the 24-hour
establishment and home to some of Missoula’s most eccentric
characters is probably most popular for its card games and J.J.’s
hot and spicy gravy. The latter, which isn’t actually that hot or
spicy, is recommended for the chicken fried steak, but is available
as a side dish for topping anything you like.
Biga Pizza
photo by Chad Harder
Where Even the
Pasta is Sexy.
ou
Eat Like Y .
Mean It
The meals have become legendary
in the Lodge dining room, a taste
of the exotic served with genuine
Montana hospitality
Lodging • Hot Springs Pool
Cowboy to Gourmet Cuisine
Bar • Live music every Friday.
Also the ideal location for your family reunions,
anniversaries, weddings, and corporate events.
541 South Higgins Ave
On The Hip Strip • Missoula, MT 59801
Phone: 406.543.0377 • Take Out • ciaomambo.com
406-834-3151 • 1.888.GET.N.WET
www.jacksonhotsprings.com • hotresort@hotsprings.com
Open 7 days a week all year long.
Serving breakfast & lunch from 8-2p.m. Dinner 5-9p.m.
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
7
MISSOULA
$…Under $5
$-$$…$5-$15
$$-$$$…$15 & Over
Restaurant & Wine Bar
549-2906 • 111 N. Higgins • Missoula
www.redbirdrestaurant.com
Casual Dining in our Wine Bar
Monday - Saturday • 5pm
Live music on Mondays • 7-10pm
Intimate Dining in our Restaurant
Tuesday - Saturday • 5pm
119 W. Alder
127 W. Alder
721.8158
728.4804
Bamboo
Chopstix
700 SW Higgins
543-2698
Chinese cooking is one of the most complicated cuisines to prepare. What makes
Bamboo Chopstix so special is that we
offer fresh Chinese food that is very delicious. Our portions are large, so one dish
can provide a good meal, yet at a very
affordable price. Our experienced chef
and friendly servers will make sure you
are able to find a favorite dish here!!
Come visit us and enjoy!! $-$$
Bernice’s Bakery
190 S. 3rd West
728-1358
Where Myrtle Avenue
ends at Bernice's, a tiny
bakery sits as a veritable landmark to
those who enjoy homestyle baked
goods, strong coffee, community, and a
variety of delicious treats. Join us for
lunch if you'd like. Crazy delicious.
Crazy cheap. 30 years and still baking.
Open Every Day 6AM to 8PM. $-$$
Biga Pizza
241 W. Main St.
728-2579
Biga Pizza offers a modern, downtown dining
environment combined
with traditional brick
oven pizza, calzone, salads, sandwiches, specials and desserts. All
dough is made using "biga" (pronounced bee-ga) which is a time-honored Italian method of bread making. Biga Pizza uses local products,
the freshest produce as well as artisan meats and cheeses. Featuring
seasonal menus. Lunch and dinner,
Mon-Sat. $-$$
Big Dipper
Ice Cream
On the corner of
5th and Higgins
543-5722
Big Dipper Ice Cream
serves Missoula's favorite home
made ice cream and sorbet. We
have cones, shakes, sundaes, specialties and pints and quarts to take
home. Open daily. $
Bitterroot
Flower Shop
811 S. Higgins Ave
542-0309
Welcome to the
Bitterroot Flower Shop, recognized as
one of America's finest full-service
florists. We pride ourselves on providing the freshest flowers, plants and
ideas in our industry. Whether it be
centerpieces, gifts, or floral arrangements, count on us to make beauty
central in your experience.
8
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
Blue Canyon Kitchen
3720 N. Reserve
(adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn)
541-BLUE
www.bluecanyonrestaurant.com
We o f f e r c r e a t i v e l y - p r e p a r e d
American cooking served in the
comfortable elegance of our lodge
restaurant featuring unique dining
rooms. Kick back in the Tavern; relish the cowboy chic and culinary
creations in the Great Room; visit
with the chefs and dine in the
Kitchen or enjoy the fresh air on
the Outdoor Patio. Parties and special events can be enjoyed in the
Bison Room. Hours: Mon-Thur
11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm;
Sun 10am-10pm; Sun brunch
10am-2pm; Tavern ‘til Midnight
Sun-Thur, 2am Fri-Sat. $$-$$$
Break Time Deli
2230 N. Reserve, Suite 450
541-6498
The Break Time Deli is Missoula's
finest choice for gourmet sandwiches. We offer the finest breads, meats
and cheeses available. Breakfast,
lunch and dinner as well as a wide
selection of deli options and baked
sweets. Dine in, take out, local delivery and business lunches are our specialties. M-F: 7 AM - 6 PM, SAT: 10
AM - 3 PM. $
The Bridge Pizza
Corner of S. 4th &
S. Higgins Ave.
542-0002
Dine-In, Drive-Thru,
Delivery... Truly a
Missoula find. Popular with the locals.
Voted best Pizza. Everything from
hand-tossed, thin-crust, stone-deck
pizza to wild salmon burritos, freerange chicken, rice & noodle bowls,
ribs, pasta, salads, soups & sandwiches, "Pizza by the Slice." Local
brews on tap and wine by the glass.
Open every day for both lunch & dinner. $-$$
Butterfly Herbs
232 N. Higgins
728-8780
Celebrating 36 years of
great coffees and teas.
Truly the “essence of Missoula.”
Offering fresh coffees, teas (Evening
in Missoula), bulk spices and botanicals, fine toiletries & gifts. Our cafe
features homemade soups, fresh salads, and coffee ice cream specialties.
In the heart of historic downtown, we
are Missoula’s first and favorite
Espresso Bar. Open 7 Days. $
MISSOULA
Catalyst
Cafe and Espresso Bar
111 N. Higgins
542-1337
We're open 7 days a week at 7 AM.
Serving breakfast, unbelievable espresso, lunch, and a special dinner on First
Friday. Our menu uses local ingredients
and varies seasonally. Try our renowned
tomato-lime tortilla soup and freshly
made pastries and desserts. $-$$
Ciao Mambo
541 S. Higgins Ave.
543-0377
Ciao Mambo, at the end of the Hip Strip
on 4th and Higgins, serves up fresh,
classic, immigrant style Italian food
seven days a week. Terrific service and
an extensive domestic and Italian wine
list make Ciao Mambo a hit for any
occasion. Dinner only and take-out
service available. Ciaomambo.com
or 543-0377. $$-$$$
Cold Stone Creamery
3275 N. Reserve St.
549-5595
Cold Stone Creamery, the ultimate ice
cream experience! Our smooth and
creamy ice cream is made fresh daily
using our secret recipe. Come in for
our weekday specials. Get $5 off ice
cream cakes with your business card.
Treat yourself to a 10-minute vacation
at Cold Stone Creamery. $-$$
Curley's
2915 Brooks
(next to Southgate
Mall on the 93 strip)
721-4133
Curley’s is a locally owned and operated Steak and Seafood house that
takes pride in our home-made meals
and fresh atmosphere. At Curley’s, we
take the time to make sure each dish
is prepared with the freshest ingredients and with the finest quality. Come
in and enjoy our full bar and vast
array of menu items. www.curleysbroiler.com. $$-$$$
El Cazador
101 S. Higgins Ave.
728-3657
The Independent readers’ choice for Best
Mexican Restaurant.
Come taste Alfredo's original recipes
for authentic Mexican Food where we
cook with love. From Seafood to
Carne Asada, enjoy dinner or stop by
for our daily lunch specials. We are
a locally owned Mexican family
restaurant, and we want to make your
visit with us one to remember. Open
daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$
El Diablo
1429 S. Higgins
728-9529
Dedicated to high quality
food with flavor, El
Diablo prepares all ingredients daily on-site. Picky eaters?
Customize your burrito or taco by
selecting your favorite meat (or veggies), beans, cheese, and salsa.
Enjoy lunch or dinner for under $10.
Locally owned and operated. Open
11-9 Mon-Sat. $-$$
The Depot
201 W. Railroad St.
728-7007
The Depot has been serving fine and
casual dining since 1974. We serve
hand-cut steaks, prime rib, and fresh
seafood. The bar menu offers more
casual meals. Our wine list has 14
Wine Spectator awards. Desserts are
house-made. Open daily from 4 PM.
728-7007 for reservations. $$-$$$
REMEMBER
Pick Up Some Pita Pit
on your way home or
on your way up the mountain.
The Perfect Portable Edible
PICKUP OR DELIVERY
Dinosaur Cafe
428 N. Higgins
in Charlie B’s
549-3589
Located at the back
of Missoula’s legendary bar Charlie
B’s, the Dinosaur Cafe features the
best Cajun food this side of the
Mississippi. Featuring southern classics like Po Boys, Jambalaya and
Catfish, the Dinosaur is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Open for lunch
and dinner Monday – Saturday. $
130 N. Higgins, Downtown Missoula • 541.7482
Make your dining experience beautiful.
Good Food Store
1600 S. Third St. W
728-5823
Our deli features all natural made-to-order sandwiches, soup & salad
bar, olive & antipasto
bar, fresh deli salads, hot entrees,
rotisserie-roasted free-range chickens,
fresh juice, smoothies, organic
espresso and dessert. Enjoy your
meal in our spacious seating area or
at an outdoor table. Open every day
7 am - 10 pm. $-$$
HuHot
Mongolian Grill
3521 Brooks
829-8888
At HuHot you’ll find
dozens of meats, seafood, noodles,
vegetables and homemade sauces
for the timid to the adventurous.
Choose your favorites from the fresh
food bars. You pick ‘em…we grill
‘em. We are as carnivore, vegetarian, diabetic, lo-salt and low-carb
friendly as you want to be! Start with
appetizers and end with desserts.
You can even toast your own s’mores
right at your table. A large selection
of beer, wine and saké drinks available. Stop by for a great meal in a
fun atmosphere. Kid and family
friendly. Open daily at 11 AM. $-$$
Centerpieces for every occasion.
811 S Higgins Ave • 542-0309
FLORAL • PLANTS • GIFTS
CENTERPIECES • DELIVERY
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
9
MISSOULA
Knuckleheads BBQ
3021 Brooks
523-9900
Is there someone dear to you that
called you a Knucklehead at one time
or another? Well…you are not alone.
We approach BBQ and all we do
with that same fondness and love.
Missoula's best BBQ and much, much
more. So, come and have a
Knuckleheads experience. $-$$
BEST BURRITOS
IN TOWN!
Locally owned
and operated.
Fresh ingredients
prepared on site daily.
1429 S. Higgins
Missoula 728-9529
Lolo Hot Springs
Boulder Room
38500 Hwy 12 W.
273-2290
Introducing the Boulder
Room Steakhouse, the
newest addition to the
Lolo Hot Springs family.
Come in and experience a Montana
elegant steakhouse featuring incredible prime rib, steaks, seafood & pastas. Start with a glass or bottle of wine
from our wonderful wine selection,
and finish the evening with one of our
decadent desserts, then sit by the fireplace for a truly memorable evening.
Now booking holiday parties. Give us
a call and let our creative culinary
staff put together a menu for your next
catered event. $-$$
MacKenzie
River Pizza
Company
Downtown:
Front Street,
721-0077
Reserve Street:
I-90 exit, next to Starbucks
721-0099
Spectacular gourmet pizzas on delicious sourdough or Italian thin crusts.
Additional menu choices include
made-to-order pasta dishes, huge salads, signature chicken chili, and
Montana-sized sandwiches. Choose
from a variety of Montana microbrews and fine wines. Enjoy service
from a fun & friendly staff. Open for
lunch and dinner, 7 days. $-$$
Montana Club
2620 Brooks
(across from
Southgate Mall)
543-3200
4561 N. Reserve
541-8141
Come as you are and enjoy friendly
down-to-earth service, portions so big
there’s something left over for a midnight snack and our cozy Montanalodge atmosphere. From pasta and
pizza to burgers and steaks, The
Montana Club has created a diverse
menu of selections to please any
palate. Our extensive beer and wine
selections will complement any meal.
Both Montana Club locations also
provide private gaming areas. Open
early ‘til late. $-$$
10
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
The Mustard
Seed Asian Café
Located at
Southgate Mall
Paxson St.
Entrance
542-7333
Contemporary Asian cuisine served in
our all new bistro atmosphere.
Original recipes and fresh ingredients
combined from Japanese, Chinese,
Polynesian, and Southeast Asian influences to appeal to American palates.
Full menu available in our non-smoking
bar. Fresh daily desserts, microbrews,
fine wines & signature drinks. Take out
& delivery available. $$–$$$.
Nona's Biscotti
101 Ben Hogan
Drive
240-6447
As owner and creator of NONA'S BISCOTTI, Maxine
Glevanik has realized her dream of
bringing a touch of Italy to Missoula.
With a glass of wine or with morning
coffee, this twice-baked Italian treat is
one of a kind. In addition to biscotti,
Maxine caters private in-home dinners.
Call 406-240-6447. $-$$
Pearl Café & Bakery
231 E. Front St.
541-0231
Country French specialties, Bison, Elk,
Fresh Fish daily, delicious salads and
appetizers. Breads and desserts baked
in-house. Reservations recommended for
the warm & inviting dining areas, or
drop in for a quick bite in the wine bar.
Now, you may go to our wedsite
Pearlcafe.US to make reservations or buy
gift certificates; while there check out our
gorgeous wedding and specialty cakes.
Open Mon-Sat at 5 pm. $$-$$$
Pita Pit
130 N. Higgins
541-PITA (7482)
Fresh Thinking . . . Healthy Eating .
We have pitas for every taste. Choose
from Chicken Breast, Turkey, Black
Forest Ham, Seafood; a wide selection
of Vegetarian options, including
Garden, Falafel, Humus and much
more. Eat in or, for a late-night delight,
we deliver ‘til 3 am Sun-Mon. $-$$
Pizza Pipeline
630 S. Higgins
721-7500
At Pizza Pipeline we use only fresh, never
frozen, pizza dough that is made on-site
daily, as well as using only the freshest
veggies that we hand-cut each day. Stop
in between 10am & 4pm when all slices
are $1. Open late. Sun-Thurs, 10am1am, Fri & Sat, 10am-2am $
MISSOULA
Potomac Restaurant & Bar
29344 MT Highway 200 E.
Bonner, MT 59823
244-5577
Find us on your way to play, 18 miles
past Missoula. We open for lunch at
11 AM. Our family-friendly menu features traditional fare, done fast and
done well. Specials 3 nights weekly.
Our bar opens at 11 AM. Stop and
see us for a pleasant surprise. $-$$
Red Bird
Restaurant &
Wine Bar
111 N. Higgins Ave.
549-2906
A hidden culinary
treasure in the Historic
Florence Hotel. Treat yourself to a sensuous dining experience, service, cuisine and ambiance delivered with creative and elegant detail. Seasonal
menus featuring the freshest ingredients. Wine bar open Monday Saturday, 4:00 - 10:30. Enter through
the Florence Building lobby. $$-$$$
Romeo's Italian Kitchen
919 SW Higgins
721-1500
Authentic Italian food is, above all, a
creation of local and fresh ingredients,
gathered and prepared in dramatically different ways. Romeo's has a great
menu developed by our Executive
Chefs and inspired by the food and
traditions of Italy. Taste and tradition
are combined using the best imported
ingredients from Italy and fresh, local
Montana flavors and ingredients.
Come in and enjoy a vibrant Italianinspired culinary experience. $-$$
Sa Wad Dee
221 W. Broadway
543-9966
Sa-Wa-Dee offers traditional Thai cuisine
in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Choose from a selection of five Thai curries, Pad Thai, delicious Thai soups, and
an assortment of tantalizing entrees.
Featuring fresh ingredients and authentic
Thai flavors–no MSG! See for yourself
why Thai food is a deliciously different
change from other Asian cuisines. Now
serving Beer and Wine! $-$$
Sushi Hana
Sushi Bar
& Japanese
Cuisine
549-7979
Corner of Pine & Higgins
Located in beautiful Downtown Missoula,
serving traditional Japanese cuisine and
exquisite sushi. Sushi Hana offers a variety of traditional and local favorites,
including nigiri-sushi, maki-sushi rolls and
sashimi. In addition, we offer Tempura,
Teriyaki and appetizers with a delicious
assortment of sauces. Expanded selection
of sakes, beer and wine. Open 7 days a
week for lunch and dinner. $$–$$$
Ten Spoon
Vineyard
4175
Rattlesnake Dr.
549-8703
Wines from Ten
Spoon Vineyard - ask for them at your
favorite wine bar, eating establishment, or retailer. Our grapes are
grown and harvested here in
Missoula, so we are truly local. We
thank you for your continued support!
WELCOME TO
The
DINOSAUR CAFE
Missoula’s Best Cajun
Lunch
and
Dinner
428 N. Higgins in Charlie B's • 549-3589
3021 Brooks St. • Between Wendy's and the Claim Jumper Casino • 523-9900
Thai Spicy
206 W. Main
543-0260
Don’t let the name fool you!! We have
the right taste for everyone!! Serving
authentic Thai and Chinese cuisine
since 1994. Try our new Vegan menu
and other popular Thai dishes like
Mom's Phad Thai, Green Curry,
Panang Curry and Yellow Curry.
Locally owned and operated. Easily
located in downtown Missoula. Dine
in or take out. Now serving Beer &
Wine. $-$$
Uptown Diner
120 N. Higgins
542-2449
Step into the past
at this ‘50s style
downtown diner. Breakfast is served
all day. Daily lunch specials. All
soups, including our famous Tomato
Soup, are made from scratch. Voted
best milkshakes in Missoula for 14
straight years. Great Food, Great
Service, Great Fun!! Monday Sunday 8a.m. - 3p.m. $-$$
OPEN • 8am to 9pm Sun - Thurs • 10pm Fri & Sat
You Gotta Love Us for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
HOME OF THE BEST DAMN BBQ
Worden's
Market and Deli
Corner Higgins
and Spruce
549-1293
Say Worden's Market
and you've said a mouthful - surprising wines, boutique beers, a Blue
Ribbon Deli, fine cigars, fresh coffee
and hard-to-find groceries—all just
around the corner. Get informed, fast,
and friendly service at a Missoula
Downtown Landmark. $-$$$
Zootown Brew
121 W. Broadway
543-2549
Zootown Brew is a 3rd wave coffee
house suited to meet both your caffeine and entertainment needs. We
give you a simple menu in hopes you
will enjoy or learn to enjoy what coffee should taste like.
With live
music, art shows, and other events
we hope you will join us in celebrating the arts of life. $
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
11
FINE CHINESE GOURMET
Mon-Fri: 11am-8pm, Sat: 12pm-8pm, Sun: Closed
700 South West Higgins Ave.
406-543-2698
www.bamboo-chopstix.com
12
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
BARS
Al’s & Vic’s and James Bar
photo by Chad Harder
Happiness is
A sophisticate’s ode to the post-work drink
by Nick Davis
Back in 350 B.C, Aristotle noted it to be
the only state of being that humans crave for
its own sake. Some 2,000 years later, our
founding fathers shoehorned the pursuit of
it into the Declaration of Independence on
the heels of life and liberty, two far more
quantifiable objects.
Like most emotional states, it’s a slippery
devil, both in attainment and in measurement. But that doesn’t stop people from
chasing it, especially in societies that largely
inoculate their inhabitants from more pressing biological needs like food and shelter.
Hey, man, all we’re looking for is a little
happiness.
Recent economic downturns and foreign
policy imbroglios aside, you’d think
Americans would have more reason to feel
happy than just about any other people.
Comparatively speaking, we’ve got loads of
money, an excellent civil infrastructure and a
fair piece of personal freedom. And we
invented baseball.
Despite all that, though, discontent
seems as healthy a strand of this country’s
DNA as hot dogs and apple pie. According to
Wikipedia (and really, how could millions of
self-appointed experts be wrong?), contem-
porary research indicates that happiness is
50 percent genetic, so next time you get the
blues feel free to lash out at your family tree.
Another 10 to 15 percent of the happiness
pie comes from varied things like social status, health, income, marital status, etc., so if
you’ve got the downtrodden-sick-poor-single
blues, go ahead and rail at The Man for keeping you down.
The remaining 35 to 40 percent is comprised of individual actions deliberately
designed to increase happiness—going to a
baseball game, for example, or sending flowers to your grandma or kicking some anonymous person’s ass in an online game of
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
13
BARS
Charlie B’s
“Halo.” It’s pretty simple: The more happy things you do, the happier you’ll be.
But this is America, after all, where the only thing better than
doing something right is doing it right with little to no effort. Why
expend all that energy making happiness when you can drink it—
temporarily, at least—right from a bottle? That’s the rationale behind
photo by Chad Harder
one of the greatest of all American inventions: happy hour.
Thought to be derived from designated entertainment times
aboard U.S. Navy ships in the early 20th century, the term “happy
hour” fully entered the national lexicon by the 1960s, when the predinnertime cocktail hours initiated by speakeasies in the Roaring
Twenties were fully consecrated by an article in the Saturday Evening
Post. Lest the irony of all of this go unnoticed,
the birth of a designated period to drink heavily and cheaply can be directly traced to the
puritanical forces that attempted to legislate
our unyielding desire to catch a buzz.
It’s hard to keep buzz-killers at bay for
long, though. After several decades of unfettered, concentrated partying, many states
began enacting laws to curb happy hour promotions. Bars responded by offering food specials along with drink giveaways, to soak up
some of that booze and thus reduce the bloodalcohol content of those who drive away from
happy hour. Still, happy hour discrimination
continues in much of the land.
There is a school of thought, fueled by
common sense and a mean libertarian streak,
that says people should be allowed to do what
they want to themselves, as long as they do not
harm others—with strict laws providing both
deterrent against and punishment for such
“Why expend all that energy making
happiness when you can drink it—
temporarily, at least—right from a
bottle? That’s the rationale behind
one of the greatest of all American
inventions: happy hour.”
14
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
BARS
actions. Thankfully, that school of thought still prevails in
Montana, a state that has never been all too eager to toe the line
of national trends.
And so it is that you can walk into Jaker’s (3515 Brooks St.)
on any weekday, during not one but two different two-hour windows, order one drink, and have the bartender serve you two. It’s
not premature double vision, son, that’s just happy hour. And if
your work, social, and family schedule allows, you can go to Finn
& Porter (100 Madison St.) during their three-hour period of
largesse and snack on any number of delectable appetizers at an
extremely appetizing price. Or you can head for the heart of
downtown and the meaty chicken wings at the Old Post (103 W.
Spruce St.) for a quarter—a quarter!—apiece. And these are but a
paltry few of the happy hour promotions to be found in the
Missoula area.
Happiness being a hugely relative state of being, you might
need to do a bit of groundwork to find the locations that serve
you best. Some of those might not even offer an actual happy
hour—the other night, for example, I found myself in the basement bar at Double Front Café (122 W. Alder St.), where my
mouth-watering chicken dinner emerged from a shiny, automated dumbwaiter, and the courteous bartender served me a full
pint of a local brew for a standard price that would’ve been a
mark-down just about anywhere else.
And that, my friends, made me a happy man indeed.
NEW MENU
GREAT CHEF
HAPPY HOUR 4 TO 6
24 HOUR CASINO
Visit Your
Friends at
1609 W
Broadway,
Missoula
406.532.3300
Bar Open 7 Days a Week 11to Close
Food Served 4 to 10 Daily
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
15
Featuring:
DirecTV Sports Pack
NFL Sunday Ticket
ESPN Game Plan
Mega March Madness
MLB Extra Innings
NBA League Pass
ESPN Full Court
NHL Center Ice
Hi-Definition Cable & Satellite
Missoula's Sports Bar
Since 1952
Smoke Free â&#x20AC;˘ Nine Flat Screen TVs
217 Ryman St * 728-9881
Montana's Largest Football Helmet Collection
16
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
BARS
$…Under $5
$-$$…$5-$15
$$-$$$…$15 & Over
Al's & Vic's
119 W. Alder
728-4804
A Missoula institution for over 70
years, Al's &
Vic's keeps the tradition and its
unique spirit intact for its local residents. Buckets of PBR, a wailing juke
box, free pool on Sundays are just a
few amenities that keep this bar a
local favorite since 1936. $
Broadway Bar & Grill
1609 W. Broadway
532-3300
Have you tried the Broadway Bar &
Grill lately? We have new management and a new menu offering generous portions at great prices. Or
visit our 24 Hour Casino. Stop by
on your way home from work for
bar specials at Happy Hour, MonFri 4 to 6 PM. We're always glad to
see you at the Broadway Bar &
Grill. $-$$
Bucks Club
Bucks Club
1805 Regent • 543-7436
Missoula’s best food & drink values.
2-for-1 food specials daily. Eat the
legend. Burgers for a buck. Over
1,000,000 sold. great breakfast
served daily. If you go away hungry,
don’t blame us. Mon.–Sat. Open 7
AM and Sunday 8 AM. $
The Edge
Sports Bar
140 Bitterroot
Plaza Drive
375-0007
With eleven big screens, a wide variety of microbrews, imports and drafts
and great food, the Edge Sports Bar
is the place to gather to watch the
big game. Not a game day? No
problem. The Edge offers signature
cocktails, terrific appetizers and full
restaurant menu seven days a week.
Whether it’s a table for two or the
entire crew, the friendly staff at the
Edge Sports Bar is ready to serve.
Open 7 days a week from 8:30am
to 11:00pm. $-$$
Elbow Room
1025 Strand Ave. • 728-9963
Voted Missoula's Best Dive Bar in
2008. A doublewide trailer like
you've never experienced before!
Karaoke every Tuesday, either D.J. or
live music every Thursday, Friday and
Saturday. Come join in the fun!
Open every day 8am till 2am. $
James Bar
127 W. Alder
721-8158
An urban rock feel is what James Bar
is all about. Enjoy sipping wine or a
specialty cocktail by the fireplace in
plush booth seating while rock from
every generation plays in the background. It's the escape you're looking
for. The menu is designed with sharing in mind as well as a Missoula take
on the urban slider (little burger). $-$$
Lolo Hot Springs
Bear Cave
Bar & Grill
38500 Hwy 12 W.
273-2290
The Bear Cave Bar &
Grill serves lunch and
dinner daily with breakfast being served on Saturday and
Sundays, and now come in and taste
our delectable Sunday Brunch. Enjoy
one of your favorite beverages or try
one of our famous martinis or hot
drinks. Our friendly staff is here to
make your trip truly worthwhile and
it’s only a short drive from Missoula;
we will make it worth the trip. $-$$
Missoula Club
139 W. Main
728-3740
The World's Best
Burger is in the
smoke-free setting
of the Missoula
Club. These burgers are notorious in
Missoula for being delicious and inexpensive. Grab a triple stack Griz burg-
Feast 2009
er for under $6. Add a milkshake or
malt to make your meal (and day)
complete. Full Bar. Open 7 AM- 2 AM
daily. $
Red's Bar
217 Ryman St.
728-9881
Missoula’s Sports Bar since 1952,
Red’s is the perfect place to watch the
game on one of our nine flat-screen
TVs. Featuring ESPN GamePlan, NFL
Sunday Ticket, MLB Extra Innings,
NBA League Pass, Mega March
Madness, ESPN Full Court, and NHL
Center Ice, Red’s is any sports fan’s
dream. $
Rhinoceros
158 Ryman
721-6061
More than 50
beers on tap, plus
countless more in
the bottle. Go
around the world in 50 beers or play
pool. Summer alley patio. Happy
hour 4-6 pm daily. Open Mon-Sat 11
am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. $
Stockman's
Bar & Café
125 W Front St
549-9668
Family owned for
50 years, Stock-man's features a full
bar, keno/poker machines, live poker
table and dance floor. Open every
day of the year, 10am-2am. Kitchen
open for lunch Mon-Fri, 11am-2am. $
Missoula Independent
17
BITTERROOT
Spice of Life Cafe
photo courtesy Ellen Holland
Earning your menu black belt
How to trust your gut to best fill your gut
by Ari LeVaux
When dining out, sharing food at the table by passing dishes
around and eating “family-style” makes for an especially fun meal.
Except, it turns out, when you order better than your companions.
I remember when I was 12 years old, eating a bowl of soup at an
Italian restaurant in Boston, I noticed Julia Child sit down at an
adjoining table and order the same soup I had. This was a nice affirmation, but I was already aware of my menu-vetting powers. I’d
learned early by dining with my parents how to select a restaurant’s
best dish. “Want some of my steak?” my dad would ask, as mom
offered scampi, and both of them reached for my short ribs. I knew
it wasn’t happening by accident. It was because I studied menus the
way some people study stocks.
On the rare occasions that someone ordered better than me, I’d
obsess about what went wrong, and these incorrect choices were
some of my best teachers. Sometimes I’d realize that the dish I should
have ordered was the one I knew I wanted—knew in my gut—but didn’t have the guts to order.
18
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
But sometimes you make mistakes. Sometimes you get unlucky.
Sometimes you have so little information to work with—or such bad
choices—you have to punt. But that’s why I’m here to help.
Reading the soul of a menu requires you to tune in to all sources of
information, on and off the menu. Often what stands between you and
the correct choice is no more than your own predictability. If you are a
veggie burrito guy and you hit La Mas Fina, on Route 93 between Victor
and Hamilton, you’re probably going to order a veggie burrito. Now, La
Mas Fina has some of the best Mexican food in western Montana, and
you’ll do fine with that choice. But in my opinion, you should have
ordered a few three-cheese tamales, if you can take the heat. They are
different, exceptional and still meet your veggie criteria.
In other words, if you play your hand predictably you’re taking
yourself out of the game, because you aren’t really studying the
menu. If you want to be a true “menu black belt,” you need to be
willing to keep an open mind, trust your instincts and curiosity, and
dig deep.
The menu black belt avoids the ruts of predictability like a vegetarian avoids raw liver. He’s feather-light in his spontaneity, his sens-
BITTERROOT
es open to all information in his inner and outer environments.
Which way will he go? Corned beef hash or frittata? Sometimes I don’t
even know which way I’m going to order and end up as surprised as
everybody else at what I choose.
Ask questions about where things are from. Local foods tend to
be higher quality and their presence on a menu speaks to the establishment as a whole. The bottom line: The more you can learn about
the specific raw materials that make up each menu item, the better
prediction you can make as to the quality of the finished product.
And simply getting the server to talk about anything food-related,
especially things that are on the menu, can deliver all kinds of unexpected gems.
The more informed you are, the better able you will be to gauge
the knowledge of your sources. I’m not above asking a question to
which I already know the answer, simply so I can assess the response.
The honorable menu black belt knows full well that foods
whose production is light on the earth will often be the tastiest
morsels on the table, and considers the environmental sustainability of the methods by which the food is acquired. For instance, that
bluefin tuna may taste great, and be really good for you, but if it
means your grandkids won’t ever get to try it, then maybe eating it
isn’t a good idea.
So when you walk into the restaurant, you should already have
answered questions like: Where am I? What season is it here? Then
you’re ready to look at the menu, grill the server and figure out
what’s really for dinner.
“Specials” and the “Specialties of the House” can be fruitful menu
categories. But, by using all your black belt powers of observation,
you must ascertain if the daily special is a response to what’s fresh or
just another day’s random, forced or rote offering. Is the specialty of
the house a hyped-up bad habit the cooks can’t break or a highly
evolved symbiosis of culture, place and art? In places known for their
creative flair and attunement to local ingredients, like Hamilton’s
Spice of Life (163 S. Second Street), the special could be a good bet
if it piques your interest. But if the restaurant is some boxy franchise,
you need to be able to sniff out and avoid that special which resulted from a delivery snafu that brought in a double order of Cheez
Whiz, artichoke hearts and prawns.
Beware the local recommendation that smacks of cultural institution, as in, “You haven’t really been to [name of town] until you’ve
had the [name of dish] at the [name of restaurant/bar]!” Sometimes
these dishes pan out—the curry options at Spice of Life, for example—and sometimes they don’t. Proceed with caution.
Sometimes friends and strangers offer tips and recommendations,
and when they do you have to make a crucial call on the credibility
of the source. Most anyone will recommend the Lolo Creek
Steakhouse (6600 Highway 12 West, Lolo), even people who’ve never
been there, because it’s so famous. So you need to at least ask,
Always Fresh, Never Frozen, Pizza Dough Made
On-Site Daily • Hand-Cut Veggies.
Home of the 26" COLOSSUS
The Largest Pizza Available in Missoula!!!
$1
ALL SLICES
from 10am
to 4pm
Daily (Limited to Cheese,
Pepperoni, and Daily
Special Slice)
What more unique gift than a premium Montana
wine made 100% from local honey & berries.
406.363.6323 • 1345 Hwy 93 N #5
www.hiddenlegendwinery.com
630 S. Higgins, 721-7500
pizzapipeline.com
Sun-Thurs, 10am - 1am
Fri & Sat, 10am - 2am
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
19
BITTERROOT
“The menu black belt avoids the
but could be. If they have scallops in oyster
sauce, for example, and they also have green
curry with chicken, then you might consider
asking for deep-fried scallops in green curry. If
the kitchen’s on the ball and goes for it, they
might even learn something. But be warned:
Your success in such high-angle ordering can
depend on things that are beyond your control, like restaurant politics—who owes who a
favor, who in the kitchen has the hots for your
server, etc.
If your dining companions are running out
of patience, and you have it narrowed down to
two options but can’t decide, sometimes you
can trick your gut into tipping its hand with
the flip of a coin.
Tell yourself, “Heads, I’m gonna order the
pizza and tails, the pasta.” If, at the coin’s decision, you respond enthusiastically or with a
sigh of relief, then there’s your answer. But if you feel a tinge of disappointment at the result, then you can disregard the coin toss
because you no longer need it. Your gut has spoken, and the gut
should be a menu black belt’s final arbiter.
ruts of predictability like a vegetarian avoids raw liver. He’s feather-
light in his spontaneity, his senses
open to all information in his inner
and outer environments.”
“Why?” If credibility can’t be established, only consider using such
random information when stymied by a menu and forced to punt.
But if you have to punt, then I haven’t done my job. So read on.
Sometimes you’re close to decoding the menu but can’t quite get
it, and then you realize that what you want isn’t exactly on the menu
;
20
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
BITTERROOT
$…Under $5
$-$$…$5-$15
$$-$$$…$15 & Over
Bitter Root
Brewing
101 Marcus St.
Hamilton
363-7468
Western MT's Bitter Root Brewery is
located in downtown Hamilton just
east of Hwy 93 at Main Street. Bitter
Root Brewery offers the largest tasting room in MT, 10 handcrafted
beers on tap and a full service grill
with live music every Thursday &
Saturday. Also, non-alcoholic beer
and a selection of handcrafted
sodas are available to complement
the fine food from The Brewers Grill.
www.bitterrootbrewing.com $-$$
The Edge
Restaurant
140 Bitterroot
Plaza Drive
375-0007
A Hamilton tradition for more than 11
years. The Edge Restaurant offers
everything you want in a great dining
experience. Enjoy fireside dining with
an incredible view of the Bitterroot
Mountains. From sizzling steaks to
succulent seafood, there’s a wide
variety of tantalizing entrees served
in a casual, comfortable smoke-free
atmosphere. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails and a large selection of your
favorite wines. Open 7 days a week
from 8:30am to 11:00pm in
Hamilton. $$-$$$
tions vary from day to day with a spectacular new menu offered for every meal.
The meals have become legendary in the
Lodge dining room, a taste of the exotic
served with genuine Montana hospitality.
In the lounge and with your dinner, your
favorite beers, wines and alcoholic spirits
are available for your enjoyment. $$-$$$
Hidden Legend Winery
1345 Hwy 93 N.
(4 miles north of Hamilton in
the Sheafman corner plaza)
363-6323
Hidden Legend Winery, owned by Ken
and Lisa Schultz, produces honey
meads that are a contemporary version
of man's oldest wine. They make worldclass wines from local ingredients, such
as knapweed honey, elderberries, huckleberries, and chokecherries gathered
from the surrounding mountain valleys.
Our wines are a new sensation for the
traditional wine drinker. www.hiddenlegendwinery.com $$
River Rising
Bakery
337 Main St
Hamilton
363-4552
Hamilton's newest bakery, deli, and
espresso bar. Serving all butter pastries, delicious and nutritious muffins,
cream scones, and delectable
desserts. Or choose from our selection of home-made soups, salads,
and sandwiches found nowhere else.
Open 6:30am-5:30pm MondayFriday, 8:00am-4:00pm Saturday,
8:00am-2:00pm Sunday. Weekday
local business lunch delivery available 9:00am-1:00pm. $-$$
Jackson
Hot Springs
Jackson, MT
834-3151
FINE DINING AT
JACKSON HOT SPRINGS LODGE. Our
remodeled dining room, with its bank of
picture windows, friendly fireplace and
attentive staff, add to the relaxing
ambiance. The individual dining selec-
Romeo's Italian Kitchen
755 Main, Stevensville
777-4499
Authentic Italian food is above all a
creation of local and fresh ingredients,
gathered and prepared in dramatical-
ly different ways. Romeo's has a great
menu developed by our Executive
Chefs and inspired by the food and
traditions of Italy. Taste and tradition
are combined using the best imported
ingredients from Italy and fresh, local
Montana flavors and ingredients.
Come in and enjoy a vibrant Italianinspired culinary experience. $-$$
Experience a meal that’s a cut above.
Hearty Breakfasts Z Sandwiches Z Burgers Z Steaks Z Seafood Z Pasta Z Salads
Extensive Beer & Wine Selection Z Private Gaming Area
Banquet Room–Reserve location
2620 Brooks 543-3200 4561 N. Reserve 541-8141
Open early ‘til late. www.montanaclub.com
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
21
FLATHEAD
photo by Chad Harder
Flathead flavor
FarmHands delivers local ingredients to area restaurants
by Alex Sakariassen
Steve Nogal has held the idea of flavor in high regard since childhood. Visits to his grandparents’ Iowa ranch meant homegrown foods,
and the contrast from bland city fare made a lasting impression. Nogal
went so far as to name his Whitefish restaurant, McGarry’s Roadhouse
(510 Wisconsin Ave.), in honor of his grandfather.
Flavor seems key all over the Flathead Valley. Local businesses are
turning more and more to local farmers for fresh ingredients, from
salad greens and chilies to pork and elk. And the subsequent culinary
possibilities have chefs ecstatic.
“It’s a lot nicer. It’s a lot more flavorsome,” says Ryan Quiroz, a
cook at Pescado Blanco in Whitefish.
Pescado Blanco (235 First St.) is a prime example of the work
Flathead restaurants are doing to keep money circulating locally and
keep the quality of food high. Owner and chef David Lewis strives to
22
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
use as many locally grown ingredients as possible. He regularly visits
farms and speaks with growers.
“They do a great job, and it’s fun to get into their produce,” Lewis
says.
And he throws all kinds of food to his kitchen staff. Inspired
cooks like Quiroz are left to turn those raw ingredients into savory
dishes.
“When I ate here, it definitely ruined Mexican food for me,”
Quiroz says. His expectations are simply too high now for run-of-themill Mexican restaurants.
Specials at Pescado Blanco typically follow what local crops are in
season. This summer, Lewis threw together a list of salads incorporating
goods like onions and organic goat cheese. More recently, Quiroz combined yellowfin tuna with locally grown sesame and pumpkin seeds.
“It’s just been my style of cooking,” Lewis says. “Clean, simple,
fresh ingredients.”
FLATHEAD
“Local businesses are
turning more and more
Make Any Day Special
With Our Weekday Specials:
Family Monday, Two for Tuesday,
Waffle Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday,
Fast Lane Friday
Or Get $5 Off Ice Cream Cakes
with Your Business Card
Or Get a Gift Card for a Friend
to local farmers for fresh
ingredients, from salad
greens and chilies to
pork and elk. And the
subsequent culinary
possibilities have chefs
ecstatic.”
Across from Costco on Reserve by TJ Maxx & Ross • Order at 549-5595
Make mine
a Griz with
cheese!
Open
Daily from
7am-2am
Restaurant 2 Lounge 2 Motel 2 Museum 2 Trading Post
Nogal follows the same seasonal rigors at McGarry’s Roadhouse.
The next round of specials will no doubt center on the winter squash
yield. He even grows and harvests a number of herbs right outside the
restaurant. Nogal adds that flavors must be confined to an appropriate time of year and menus are subject to weekly change.
“You don’t want to have something that’s more suited to the summer, like mint, and use it in the winter,” he says.
Growers like Pam Gerwe of Purple Frog Gardens understand the
demand for quality ingredients. Gerwe supplies produce to both
McGarry’s Roadhouse and Pescado Blanco, as well as local markets.
She even encourages local business owners to preserve products they
buy from local farms, as growing seasons for certain crops can be short.
“A restaurant needs to understand that when you use it, you use
a lot of it,” Gerwe says.
Gerwe’s involvement with local food production goes beyond
Purple Frog Gardens. She offers weekly tours of her land and is a
founding member of FarmHands, a group of farmers dedicated to
educating the public about the relationship between Flathead Valley
businesses and growers.
FarmHands compiles a free guide and map of the area highlighting farms and the businesses that buy from them. The guide is funded partly by participating businesses and Montana Tourism and
Recreation.
“They recognize that tourists who come to Montana are in love
with the ambience, and farming is a major part of that ambience,”
Gerwe says.
EAT
at our casual Montana
restaurant
DRINK
in our full service lounge
VIEW
the beautiful Mission
Mountains
LEARN
at the Museum of Early
Montana*
Located off Highway 93,
6 miles south of Ronan
www.ninepipes.com
406-644-2588
*Museum open April-October
HOT SPOT
50440 US Hwy 93, Polson
Open for Lunch 11:30AM-2:30PM Monday-Friday
Dinner 5-8PM Monday-Saturday
Closed Sundays • hotspotthai.com
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
23
FLATHEAD
Gerwe’s voice rings with urgency when she speaks of FarmHands.
Consumers have grown accustomed to buying non-local produce, forgetting their ability to become growers themselves. She says building
awareness of the benefits of buying locally is vital in repairing a broken
local food network.
“It’s taken 50 years for our food system to fall into disrepair,” Gerwe
says. “And I don’t know that we have another 50 years to fix it.”
Business owners like Nogal and Lewis agree. Nogal says he prefers
to buy his beef from Montana Legend in Red Lodge because the company’s slaughtering method, which keeps cattle from different herds separate, best preserves flavor. But he acknowledges an economic sensitivity as well.
“What’s best for us is to keep the money circulating within our state
economy,” Nogal says.
Lewis, on the other hand, says his first priority in buying food is quality.
A professional cook for 25 years, he attended the California Culinary
Academy in San Francisco and worked in a number of seasonal tourist
towns. He started cooking in third grade. He was exposed to Mexican cooking while living in Mexico City in sixth grade.
“I’ve always been all about food,” Lewis says.
Luckily, Lewis says high-quality, local ingredients make it easy to satisfy his expectations. And, like Nogal, keeping the money local is important.
“I really like that about this,” Lewis says. “It’s an island of wealth we
can keep sustained around here.”
photo by Chad Harder
24
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
FLATHEAD
Beef entrees. Entertainment Menu.
Sunday Brunch 8am to 1pm.
Karaoke & Dancing Fri/Sat 10pm to
1:30am. Espresso Bar with grab to
go Pastries & Bagels. $$-$$$
$…Under $5
$-$$…$5-$15
$$-$$$…$15 & Over
Hot Spot Thai Cafe
50440 US Hwy. 93, Polson
Hot Spot Thai offers some of the most
flavorful Thai-style cuisine in western
Montana. Located on beautiful
Flathead Lake in Polson, adjacent to
the S&K marina. Drop in by boat or
drive through. We would love to see
you soon. Open for lunch Monday Friday 11:30am-2:30pm. Open for
dinner Monday - Saturday 5pm-8pm,
Closed Sundays. Visit us on the web
at hotspotthai.com. $-$$
Jocko’s
Steakhouse &
Lounge
303 Hwy 93
Polson, MT
883-3636 ext 423
Jocko’s at Kwataqnuk,
where customers
come to be entertained with trend-setting dishes. From
breakfast to brunch, to healthy appetizers, to creatively inspired entrée
and unique desserts. While taking in
our spectacular lake view, please
enjoy any one of our Certified Angus
Ninepipes Lodge
69286 US Highway 93
Charlo, MT
644-2588
Restaurant, Lounge and Motel located on Highway 93 in the Mission
Valley of Montana. Centrally located
between Missoula and Kalispell, a
short distance from Ronan, Charlo
and St. Ignatius. Fine dining with a
view, lounge, conference room and
motel with an outdoor flair. Gift shop
and Museum of Early Montana next
door. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. $-$$
Withey's
Health Foods
1231 S. Main St.
Kalispell
755-5260
Our family-owned store offers organic grocery, nutritional supplements,
health & beauty products, home
brew supplies, wine & beer, Solid
Gold & other pet food. Phone and
mail orders welcome! Mon-Sat 9:006:00 $-$$
Just outside Southgate Mall, Paxson St. Entrance,
Off Brooks • 542-SEED
You want a great
newspaper. . .
and you want it
for FREE!
Feast 2009
Missoula Independent
25
ADVERTISER INDEX
Al’s & Vic’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,17
El Diablo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,10
Pearl Café & Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . .10,12
Bamboo Chopstix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,12
Dinosaur Cafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,11
The Pita Pit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,10
Bernice’s Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
The Edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,17,21
Pizza Pipeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,19
Big Dipper Ice Cream . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,9
Elbow Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Potomac Restaurant & Bar . . . . . . . . .11
Biga Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,16
Good Food Store . . . . . . .9, Back Cover
Red Bird Rest. & Wine Bar . . . . . . . .8,11
Bitter Root Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . .20,21
Hidden Legend Winery . . . . . . . . .19,21
Red’s Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16,17
Bitterroot Flower Shop . . . . . . . . . . . .8,9
Hot Spot Thai Cafe . . . . . . . . . . . . .23,25
Blue Canyon Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . .8,16
HuHot Mongolian Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Break Time Deli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Jackson Hot Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,21
The Bridge Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
James Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,17
Broadway Bar & Grill . . . . . . . . . . .15,17
Jocko's Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . .24,25
Bucks Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11,17
Knuckleheads BBQ . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,11
Butterfly Herbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Lolo Hot Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,10,17
Catalyst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,26
Mackenzie River Pizza Co. . . . . . . .10,26
Ten Spoon Vineyard . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,11
El Cazador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,25
Missoula Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17,23
Thai Spicy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,11
Ciao Mambo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,9
Montana Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,21
Uptown Diner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,11
Cold Stone Creamery . . . . . . . . . . . .9,23
The Mustard Seed . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,25
Withey's Health Food . . . . . . . . . . .21,25
Curley’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,27
Ninepipes Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23,25
Worden's Market & Deli . . . . . . . . .11,15
The Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9,12
Nona's Biscotti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8,10
Zootown Brew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,11
• A Local Hang Out
• Unbelievable Coffee
• Homemade Pastries and Desserts
• Kelly's Famous Tomato Lime Tortilla Soup
• Seasonal Menus with Local Ingredients
Breakfast 7 AM Every Day
Lunch 11-5 Mon thru Fri, Noon to 5 Sat
Monthly First Friday Dinner 7 to 10 PM
111 North Higgins 542-1337
26
Missoula Independent Feast 2009
Rhinoceros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
River Rising Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Romeo's Italian Kitchen . . . . . . . . .11,21
Sa Wad Dee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,11
Stockman's Bar & Café . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Sushi Hana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Hamilton Wine and
Liquor Store
JUST OPENED
Dungeness Crab Cakes
Open 7 Days 8:30am-11pm
with Lemon Buerre Blanc sauce.
The Edge Restaurant
Open 7 Days 11am-10pm
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
topped with Havarti cheese.
The Edge Sports Bar
Open 7 Days 11am-11pm
Curleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ultimate Shells
& Cheese
Cucumber
Cilantro Martini.
2915 Brooks
Missoula
721-4133
WINE & CHEESE
Premium wine and cheeses,
from Montana and beyond.
PRODUCE
BAKERY
Voted Missoula’s favorite
produce department for
12 years running.
Fresh breads and pastries
from our own ovens and
from the best local bakeries.
It’s all good.
MEAT & SEAFOOD
Missoula’s only certified
organic meat department.
BULK
Beans, rices, spices, granola, pasta,
snacks, coffee, baking supplies and
more. Over 800 different choices.
DELI & BEVERAGE BAR
All natural espresso and smoothies,
hot breakfast, big sandwiches,
housemade pizza and pasta.
Plus beautifully fresh sushi.
www.goodfoodstore.com | 1600 S. 3rd St. West | 541. FOOD | 7am to 10pm Every Day